Shohei Ohtani’s Most Valuable Gift for His Beloved Dog Decoy’s 2nd Birthday Wins the Internet

Hold onto your hats, baseball fans and furry buddy fans, because a grand slam of cute news is hitting the headlines! Forget about gravity-defying catches and soaring home runs for a moment. The real MVP of the hour has just toasted another journey around the sun in style. We’re, of course, talking about Decoy, the cherished dog of the one and only Shohei Ohtani!

If you know anything about the two-way sensation, you very well know he does everything with a little magic and a whole lot of heart. So, when it came to celebrating his four-legged best friend’s day, it had to be full of love and magic. And indeed, it was. Already buzzing with touching photos and stories of the celebration, the internet shows that even off the baseball diamond, Ohtani knows how to knock it out of the park—this time, in the domain of puppy love! In adoration of those moments, one gift caught the eye: a gift the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ star gave his beloved Decoy.

Want to guess what it was? Here’s a little hint: it was the best gift!

Ohtani shared some adorable pictures on his Instagram handle on the special occasion of Decoy’s second birthday. The post highlighted Decoy’s lively nature and Ohtani’s great love for his furry buddy. Accompanied by a sequence of images documenting their shared experiences, the caption said, “Happy 2nd birthday to my MVP.” 

Ohtani’s happiness, however, went beyond a simple message. He made Decoy’s birthday unforgettable. In a gesture that touched fans all around, Ohtani gave Decoy a “Most Valuable Dog” plaque, with a number two balloon and a flower bouquet. It was truly a thoughtful gift that caught the attention of everyone on the internet. His love for Decoy is nothing new. Even the Dodgers have recognized it.

Did you forget a surprise that everyone loved back in 2014? Given the link between Ohtani and Decoy, the Dodgers chose to honor this unique partnership in a special way. The clubhouse held a unique bobblehead giveaway during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

The collectible showed Ohtani in his Dodgers uniform, clutching Decoy, who was also shown with his own little bobblehead. Fans queued for several hours before the game to get their hands on the limited-edition figurine, making the giveaway a success. The incident was proof of the rising appeal of both Ohtani and Decoy among fans.

The Dodgerland is well aware of their beautiful bond. Decoy is so cute that even the man in charge, Dave Roberts, couldn’t resist showering his love on him.

Dave Roberts’ surprise for Shohei Ohtani’s Decoy

Over time, Decoy has become a part of the Dodgers, and how can we forget his spring training debut of 2025? Let’s go back to relive those moments one more time. Remember when spring training began in Arizona? Decoy made himself known, which made the Dodgers’ plans for the new season even more exciting.

Decoy went out on the field and showed his playful spirit and energy, which was a great display of teamwork. Roberts, the Dodgers Manager, couldn’t hold back his excitement and shared a picture of Decoy, with baseballs all around him, with the words “Thank you, Doc.” This show of gratitude from the team showed how much they appreciated Decoy’s help in the training setting and brought some fun to the serious preparations.

To show how happy Ohtani is to have a pet, he shared a funny moment on social media by posting an adorable picture of Roberts with Decoy. The note said, “Is that a thank you? Or I want Decoy to kill you for this?” Fans liked the lighthearted tone, which showed how close-knit and fun-loving things are in the Dodgers’ camp.

Even though it’s been a while, Decoy’s pranks are still making players and fans laugh. His appearance reminds us that even in the craziness of professional sports, it’s important to have moments of joy and laughter, and Decoy is without a doubt the team’s most valuable player when it comes to spreading happiness.

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